Prepositions Grammar Boot Camp Prepositions Prepositions are the

Prepositions Grammar Boot Camp

Prepositions � Prepositions are the words that indicate location. Usually, prepositions show this location in the physical world. Check out the three examples below:

Prepositions � HINT: Think of a preposition as a word that describes anywhere a mouse can go. � On, in, and beside are all prepositions. They are showing where the puppy is. Prepositions can also show location in time.

Prepositions � Read the next three examples: � At midnight, Jill craved mashed potatoes with grape jelly. � In the spring, I always vow to plant tomatoes but end up buying them at the supermarket. � During the marathon, Iggy's legs complained with sharp pains shooting up his thighs. � At midnight, in the spring, and during the marathon all show location in time.

Prepositions � * But is very seldom a preposition. When it is used as a preposition, but means the same as except—Everyone ate frog legs but Jamie. But usually functions as a coordinating conjunction.

Prepositions � Understand how to form a prepositional phrase. � Prepositions generally introduce prepositional phrases. Prepositional phrases look like this:

Prepositions � Here are some examples: At school � At = preposition; school = noun. According to us � According to = preposition; us = pronoun. By chewing � By = preposition; chewing = gerund. Under the stove � Under = preposition; the = modifier; stove = noun. In the crumb-filled, rumpled sheets � In = preposition; the, crumb-filled, rumpled = modifiers; sheets = noun.

Prepositions � Realize that some prepositions also function as subordinate conjunctions. � Some prepositions also function as subordinate conjunctions. These prepositions are after, as, before, since, and until. A subordinate conjunction will have both a subject and a verb following it, forming a subordinate clause.

Prepositions � Look at these examples: After Sam and Esmerelda kissed goodnight � After = subordinate conjunction; Sam, Esmerelda = subjects; kissed= verb. As Jerome buckled on the parachute � As = subordinate conjunction; Jerome = subject; buckled = verb. Before I eat these frog legs � Before = subordinate conjunction; I = subject; eat = verb. Since we have enjoyed the squid eyeball stew � Since = subordinate conjunction; we = subject; have enjoyed = verb. Until your hiccups stop � Until = subordinate conjunction; hiccups = subject; stop = verb.

Prepositions � If you find a noun [with or without modifiers] following one of these five prepositions, then all you have is a prepositional phrase. Look at these examples: After the killer calculus test � After = preposition; the, killer, calculus = modifiers; test = noun. As a good parent � As = preposition; a, good = modifiers; parent = noun. Before dinner � Before = preposition; dinner = noun. Since the breakup � Since = preposition; the = modifier; breakup = noun. Until midnight � Until = preposition; midnight = noun.

Prepositions � PRACTICE! Underline the prepositional phrase in each sentence. Identify and label the preposition and the direct object. � 1. The puppies wandered around the fenced yard until their owner arrived. � 2. Without a care in the world, Alex is relaxing, waiting for the game to begin. � 3. Dean thinks that he is smarter than everyone in the class. � 4. Will you put these cookies on the tray? � 5. His doctor read through his chart and looked down his throat.

Prepositions � 6. His idea will not work after sunrise. � 7. She peered slowly around the doorway before crossing the threshold. � 8. The champion will compete against other dogs from the club. � 9. The increase in thefts this year should concern each of us. � 10. At a minimum, you will spend three hours on each assignment.

ANSWERS � � 1. The puppies wandered around the fenced yard until their owner arrived. UNTIL is NOT a preposition; it is a SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTION. � 2. Without a care in the world, Alex is relaxing, waiting for the game to begin. � 3. Dean thinks that he is smarter than everyone in the class. � 4. Will you put these cookies on the tray? � 5. His doctor read through his chart and looked down his throat. � 6. His idea will not work after sunrise. � 7. She peered slowly around the doorway before crossing the threshold. � 8. The champion will compete against other dogs from the club. � 9. The increase in thefts this year should concern each of us. � 10. At a minimum, you will spend three hours on each assignment.